Hirschi High Defends New Home Turf

Hirschi High Defends New Home Turf

The new high school football season kicked off Friday night, and Hirschi High school football players got a chance to play on Memorial Stadium's new turf.

Earlier this year, it was out with the old and in with the new at Memorial Stadium as the new in-field turf was installed.

Along with the turf, WFISD also updated the drainage system, and removed the 28-inch crown.

Officials said both will help improve playing conditions dramatically in bad weather.

"When the weather comes in, and it rains, we're not going to have puddles on the field," said WFISD Athletic Director Kenny Catney, "we're not going to have water coming all the way out to the numbers like we did in the past."

The entire project set the district back around $800,000, but according to Catney, it was worth every penny.

"We feel it's going to be a much more playable field," explained Catney, "the functionality of the field is going to be a whole lot better because of the multiple sports to be played on it."

Hirschi High was the first home team from Wichita Falls to take to the new field, and Coach Cody Slater said his squad couldn't wait to play on the state of the art turf.

"Last year, that field was on it's last leg," said Slater, "everything is going to be better for our kids, safety wise, and that's what's most important."

Officials said the new field will cut down on injuries like turf burns, and thanks to the new padding, concussions as well.

Good news for local athletes, who will now be on an equal playing field with other districts around the State.